Page 97 of Saving the Halfback

He turned to face me. “I was scared. I was scared for you, Bailey. So much shit went through my head about what had happened to you, and all I could think was you’d probably let it happen. You’d let it happen, even if you didn’t want it to, because you don’t think you’re worth anything more. You think you deserve it, but you don’t. I don’t know what your ex did, I don’t know what happened, but he did a number on you mentally. Heprogrammed you to think you have no control over it. I don’t want to go home, because I don’t want to leave you right now. I don’t want you to be alone.

“The kiss with Chase? I was upset at first, but only because I thought he was forcing himself on you. I’m sorry if I didn’t convey my intentions in the beginning clearly enough. I like you, Bailey. I like you a lot. But I heard you when you said you didn’t want anything more. I heard you when you drew that line and, yeah, maybe I do toe the line a bit more than I should, but I would never step over it without your consent. And I sure as fuck wouldn’t think you owe me, or that I own you, or any shit like that.

“So, kiss Chase. Kiss Lachlan, fuck, kiss Ethan, for all I care. As long as it’s your choice. I’m not going to hate you for it.”

The silence hung around us for a moment as words escaped me. Eventually, I said, “You hang around Lachlan too much. You saidfucklike twice in a row.”

Nolan’s serious face turned into a smile. He took my hand, bringing it up to his lips and pressing a kiss to the back of it.

“You don’t think I’m a slut? For flirting with all of you? For leading you all on?” I asked, wanting to know his honest opinion.

“Leading us where? Because your intentions have been clear from the start, at least for me. You said you weren’t looking for a relationship. It doesn’t bother me. Just not Sam or Hersey, please? I don’t trust them to take care of you.”

I chuckled. “But you trust Chase and Ethan?” I knew he trusted Lachlan.

“Yeah…I do. When the picture was sent around, Ethan went on a rampage, trying to take everyone’s phone, demanding they delete the pictures, or he would break them. Chase was already leaving. He saw you were at the field, and that was it. A couple guys from school got in his way, and he laid into them. He didn’tcare about anyone else; you were his only goal. I didn’t trust them before, but after tonight, I do.”

The porch light flashed, and we both looked over to see Dad standing there, his arms crossed. Mom stood next to him with her head in her hand, in disbelief.

“Guess that’s our cue.” Nolan looked back to me. “Are you clear, though? I’m not mad at you, and no matter what anyone says, you are not any of those words that were written on your skin.” I nodded, looking down at my arms to make sure the marker had washed off. There were still faint markings. Nolan lifted my chin so my eyes met his. “You’re cute…” He smiled. “Adorable. Sweet. Incredibly talented and smart. Those are the only words you should be thinking when you look at yourself.”

“Thank you, Nolan.” I leaned forward and pressed my lips to the corner of his mouth. The same place he usually kissed me. His skin was soft and inviting me to lean forward, move to his lips, but even though I wanted to, I felt now wasn’t the time. Especially with my dad glaring at us from the porch. Nolan’s cheeks were red enough that I could see them in the dark of the cab. “Will you stay tonight?”

“I don’t want to leave,” Nolan admitted.

I moved to get out of the truck, then paused.A little truth. Give him a little truth.“Sometimes… I hear him a lot.” How else could I explain how I saw Ed without sounding crazy? “Like his words are stuck in my head. When you guys are around, it usually goes away. After tonight, I’m afraid it might come back more than usual.”

Nolan smiled softly and squeezed my hand. “I’ll stay.”

I let out a ragged breath. Lachlan was right—it started with little truths…and it felt so good to finally be speaking the truth.

My parents didn’t lecture us. I had a suspicion Dad waited up to see if we were intoxicated or something. He stared at my eyes long enough, I knew he was checking for something. Heseemed satisfied with whatever he found there—or didn’t find. Mom questioned the outfit change, and when I told her about the “hazing” with the pool, the goop, and the pigs, leaving out the stripping to my underwear and the tequila shot before jumping into the pool, of course, she had a good laugh. Dad had been worried about there being hazing, and he seemed pleased by this tame version, compared to when he’d joined the football team.

When it was obvious I wouldn’t mention any other events of the night, Nolan followed my lead and respected my wishes.

I think my parents really liked Nolan because they seemed happy he was staying the night. My mom set up the guest room for him, but once everyone went to bed, he walked in through my open door. Nolan closed it behind him, and I shuffled over on the bed, pulling the blanket back and inviting him in. I still wore Chase’s sweats; they were cozy and comforting. Nolan wore his shirt and boxers.

“What’d your dad say?” I asked once he settled in next to me.

Nolan shrugged. “I sent him a text, told him I would meet him at the briefing tomorrow, since he always goes. Then I turned off my phone.” He moved so his arm wrapped around me, pulling me into his chest. “Don’t worry about him. I have it taken care of.”

Nodding, I snuggled into his rock-hard chest, drifting off to the absence of dogs barking or doors slamming while I pretended that I had never gone to any party tonight.

33

Lachlan

Saturday

Chest heaving, shirt ripped, legs aching. “Damn, this was easier when we were younger. You gave in so much faster back then.” I looked at Chase, who was in just as rough shape as I was. He laid sprawled out on the padded floor of the gym in his house.

“Lachlan.” Oh, shit.

“Again? I already said I would tell you everything.” I got up to my knees, facing Ethan. “I said I was sorry for not letting you visit.”

“Nope. Not why.”

I nodded. He had beef, so I had to go up against him.

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